Shaft-less radial vane turbine generator

ABSTRACT

A generator having a coupling adapted to couple at least two fluid conduits together; an axial flow channel defined by the hose coupling and having an axis; a conductive coil in the hose coupling enveloping the axial flow channel; a rotor rotatable relative to the conductive coil and encircled by the conductive coil; a plurality of vanes coupled to the rotor and projecting radially toward the axis, but not intersecting the axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to power generation using energyfrom fluid flow through a cylinder, and more specifically to powergeneration by a shaft-less radial vane turbine generator. Even morespecifically, the present invention relates to power generation by ashaft-less radial vane turbine generator in a hose coupling, such as afire hose coupling.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Fire hoses are coupled together with fire hose couplings.

These couplings are well known in the art. Typically, one side of acoupling has an expansion ring to attach the coupling to its respectivehose. On the other side of the coupling are usually a set of internal orexternal threads for fastening the coupling to complementary (externalor internal) threads of another coupling. Usually, a fire truck isprovided with a male connector to which a female coupling is fastened. Afire hose assembly is then concatenated by coupling together sequentialmale and female couplings.

Firefighters operating in dark and smoke-filled environments are proneto becoming disoriented. In conditions of poor visibility, it isextremely helpful to have some means for the firefighter to determinewhich way leads to the exit, i.e. which hose direction leads back towardthe fire truck. Firefighters may be taught to seek out, for example, thefemale coupling of the connection as an indicator that this side of theconnection leads back to the fire truck. However, this method is notsatisfactory because a firefighter, in the heat of the moment, may notremember which coupling points back to the fire truck or he or she maynot be able to properly see or feel the couplings. Furthermore, the firehoses may not have been assembled in the expected (conventional) way,and thus reliance on the assumption that, for example, the femalecoupling, leads back to the fire truck, may in fact lead the firefighterto head the wrong direction. As will be appreciated, these issues are amatter of life and death to firefighters.

Generally, it is common for firefighters to work in pitch-blackconditions as in most fire scenes, the first thing to do is to cut offthe electricity in the building that is on fire. Thus, in order tofunction adequately in such poorly illuminated environment, firefightersusually have to depend upon the light emitting from the flashlightmounted on their helmets. However, since the total equipment that afully-equipped firefighter has to bear can weight more than 20kilograms, it is impossible or unbearable for a fireman to attach aheavy and cumbersome high-power flashlight on his/her helmet. Not tomention that a fireman operating a fire nozzle for fighting fire willhave to have both hands on the fire nozzle since the high water pressureinside the fire hose causes it to be very heavy, stiff and thusdifficult to control, and thus, he/she will have no spare hand orstrength to hold on to and operate a heavy high-power flashlight foreither illuminating the fire scene or firefighting command.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments of the invention advantageously address the needsabove as well as other needs by providing a system and method for powergeneration by a shaft-less radial vane turbine generator in a hosecoupling, such as a fire hose coupling.

In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a generatorcomprising a coupling adapted to couple at least two fluid conduitstogether; an axial flow channel defined by the hose coupling and havingan axis; a conductive coil in the hose coupling enveloping the axialflow channel; a rotor rotatable relative to the conductive coil andencircled by the conductive coil; a plurality of vanes coupled to therotor and projecting radially toward the axis, but not intersecting theaxis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of severalembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing more particular description thereof, presented in conjunctionwith the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a first hose, such as a firstfire hose, coupled to a second hose, such as a second fire hose,utilizing a coupler, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the first hose, such as thefirst fire hose, coupled to the second hose, such as the second firehose, utilizing the coupler, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the first hose, such as thefirst fire hose, coupled to the second hose, such as the second firehose, utilizing the coupler, in accordance with an additional embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the first hose, such as thefirst fire hose, coupled to the second hose, such as the second firehose, utilizing the coupler, in accordance with a further embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the first hose, such as thefirst fire hose, coupled to the second hose, such as the second firehose, utilizing the coupler, in accordance with the further embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a male coupler in accordance withone variation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is an axial view of the rotor of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the rotor of FIG. 6B, showing the rotor, thelocations of the permanent magnets, the radial vanes, and the toroidalring.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determinedwith reference to the claims.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention can be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, shown is a partial perspective view of afirst hose 102, such as a first fire hose 102, coupled to a second hose104, such as a second fire hose 104, utilizing a coupler 106, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively,the coupler 106 shown may be an adapter, nozzle, or other conveyance.

The coupler 106 comprises a male coupler 110, and a female coupler 108that are threadably engaged with one another. As shown, the male coupler110 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (leds 112) 112positioned so as to be visible from an exterior of the male coupler 110.(In accordance with one variation, other electrically energizedillumination sources may be used, such as incandescent light bulbs, inlieu of the LEDs 112). The LEDs 112 are arranged in the form of an arrow114 so as to create an indication by an electrically illuminated arrow114, or other directional pointer, to indicate the direction of egressor exit away from the fire involved area nearer a distal end (not shown)of the second fire hose 104, e.g., nearer a nozzle (not shown), than toa distal end (now shown) of the first fire hose e.g., nearer a firetruck or fire plug.

In operation, electrical energy is generated by a power generator 116within the male coupler 110 in response to flow of fluid, such as water,through the male coupler 110, e.g., through the coupler 106, and thefirst fire hose 102 and the second fire hose 104. In the embodimentshown, the fluid flow is in a direction opposite the direction indicatedby the electrically illuminated arrow 114. The electrical energy may bestored in an energy storage device such as a battery, or anultracapacitor, within the male coupler 110, or may be directlyutilized. In either case, the electrical energy is used to power thelight emitting diodes, which may be continuously illuminated, or mayflash, in accordance with variations of the present embodiment.

Referring next to FIG. 2, shown is a partial perspective view of thefirst hose 102, such as the first fire hose 102, coupled to the secondhose 104, such as the second fire hose 104, utilizing the coupler 106,in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.Alternatively, the coupler 106 shown may be an adapter, nozzle, or otherconveyance.

The coupler 106 comprises a male coupler 110, and a female coupler 108that are threadably engaged with one another. As shown, the male coupler110 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (leds 112) positionedso as to be visible from an exterior of the male coupler 110. (Inaccordance with one variation, other electrically energized illuminationsources may be used, such as incandescent light bulbs, in lieu of theleds 112). The leds 112 are arranged in the form of an arrow 114 so asto create an indication by an electrically illuminated arrow 114, orother directional pointer, to indicate the direction of egress or exitaway from the fire involved area nearer a distal end (not shown) of thesecond fire hose 104, e.g., nearer a nozzle (not shown), than to adistal end (now shown) of the first fire hose 102 e.g., nearer a firetruck or fire plug.

An impact resistant translucent protective lens 202 is be mounted overthe leds 112. The impact resistant translucent protective lens 202magnifies light emitted from the leds 112, and protects the leds 112from damage The impact resistant translucent lens may be removable bymeans a mechanical fastening system for maintenance, repair and/orreplacement purposes.

In operation, electrical energy is generated by a power generator 116within the male coupler 110 in response to flow of fluid, such as water,through the male coupler 110, e.g., through the coupler 106, and thefirst fire hose 102 and the second fire hose 104. In the embodimentshown, the fluid flow is in a direction opposite the direction indicatedby the electrically illuminated arrow 114. The electrical energy may bestored in an energy storage device such as a battery, or anultracapacitor, within the female coupler 110, or may be directlyutilized. In either case, the electrical energy is used to power thelight emitting diodes, which may be continuously illuminated, or mayflash, in accordance with variations of the present embodiment.

Referring next to FIG. 3, shown is a partial perspective view of thefirst hose 102, such as the first fire hose 102, coupled to the secondhose 104, such as the second fire hose 104, utilizing the coupler 106,in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention.Alternatively, the coupler 106 shown may be an adapter, nozzle, or otherconveyance.

The coupler 106 comprises a female coupler 108, and a male coupler 110that are threadably engaged with one another. As shown, the male coupler110 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (leds 112) positionedso as to be visible from an exterior of the female coupler 110. (Inaccordance with one variation, other electrically energized illuminationsources may be used, such as incandescent light bulbs, in lieu of theleds 112). The leds 112 are arranged in the form of an arrow 114 so asto create an indication by an electrically illuminated arrow 114, orother directional pointer, to indicate the direction of egress or exitaway from the fire involved area nearer a distal end (not shown) of thesecond fire hose 104, e.g., nearer a nozzle (not shown), than to adistal end (now shown) of the first fire hose 102 e.g., nearer a firetruck or fire plug.

An impact resistant translucent protective lens 202 is be mounted overthe leds 112. The impact resistant translucent protective lens 202magnifies light emitted from the leds 112, and protects the leds 112from damage The impact resistant translucent lens may be removable bymeans a mechanical fastening system for maintenance, repair and/orreplacement purposes.

In accordance with the additional embodiment, the impact resistanttranslucent lens may be treated, coated or impregnated with a photoluminescent material, e.g., a photo luminescent pigment, e.g., such asis marketed under the trade name Sunfor-D-1-1, that will absorb lightenergy while the leds 112 or other lighting means are illuminated due tothe generation of electrical energy from the water flowing within thefire hose conveyance, and will then continue to emit or luminesce theabsorbed light energy in an photo luminescent arrow 114 patternindicating the direction of egress or exit from the fire involved areashould, for example, the flow of water within the coupling cease or besignificantly reduced, thereby terminating the ability of the device togenerate adequate electrical energy to energize the light source.

In operation, electrical energy is generated by a power generator 116within the male coupler 110 in response to flow of fluid, such as water,through the male coupler 110, e.g., through the coupler 106, and thefirst fire hose 102 and the second fire hose 104. In the embodimentshown, the fluid flow is in a direction opposite the direction indicatedby the electrically illuminated arrow 114. The electrical energy may bestored in an energy storage device such as a battery, or anultracapacitor, within the male coupler 110, or may be directlyutilized. In either case, the electrical energy is used to power thelight emitting diodes, which may be continuously illuminated, or mayflash, in accordance with variations of the present embodiment.

Referring next to FIG. 4, shown is a partial perspective view of thefirst hose 102, such as the first fire hose 102, coupled to the secondhose 104, such as the second fire hose 104, utilizing the coupler 106,in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.Alternatively, the coupler 106 shown may be an adapter, nozzle, or otherconveyance.

The coupler 106 comprises a female coupler 108, and a male coupler 110that are threadably engaged with one another. As shown, the male coupler110 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (leds 112) positionedso as to be visible from an exterior of the male coupler 110. (Inaccordance with one variation, other electrically energized illuminationsources may be used, such as incandescent light bulbs, in lieu of theleds 112). The leds 112 are arranged in the form of an arrow 114 so asto create an indication by an electrically illuminated arrow 114, orother directional pointer, to indicate the direction of egress or exitaway from the fire involved area nearer a distal end (not shown) of thesecond fire hose 104, e.g., nearer a nozzle (not shown), than to adistal end (now shown) of the first fire hose 102 e.g., nearer a firetruck or fire plug.

An impact resistant translucent protective lens 202 is be mounted overthe leds 112. The impact resistant translucent protective lens 202magnifies light emitted from the leds 112, and protects the leds 112from damage The impact resistant translucent lens may be removable bymeans a mechanical fastening system for maintenance, repair and/orreplacement purposes.

In accordance with the further embodiment, the impact resistanttranslucent protective lens 202 may be treated, coated or impregnatedwith a photo luminescent material, e.g., a photo luminescent pigment,e.g., such as is marketed under the trade name Sunfor-D-1-1, that willabsorb light energy while the leds 112 or other lighting means areilluminated due to the generation of electrical energy from the waterflowing within the fire hose conveyance, and will then continue to emitor luminesce the absorbed light energy in an photo luminescent arrow 114pattern indicating the direction of egress or exit from the fireinvolved area should, for example, the flow of water within the couplingcease or be significantly reduced, thereby terminating the ability ofthe device to generate adequate electrical energy to energize the lightsource.

The impact resistant translucent protective lens 202 may also be coatedwith a retro-reflective material in an retro-reflective arrow outline402 shape that outlines the perimeter of the leds 112. Thisretro-reflective outline shape enhances the visibility of electricallyilluminated arrow while the lighting system is activated by theelectrical generating device, especially in dark, smoke filled, or otherpoor visibility circumstances.

Referring to FIG. 5, The retro-reflective arrow outline 402 shape mayalso be excited by other external lighting sources, includingflashlights, building lights or other lighting means.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in operation, electrical energy is generatedby a power generator 116 within the male coupler 110 in response to flowof fluid, such as water, through the male coupler 110, e.g., through thecoupler 106, and the first fire hose 102 and the second fire hose 104.In the embodiment shown, the fluid flow is in a direction opposite thedirection indicated by the arrow 114. The electrical energy may bestored in an energy storage device such as a battery, or anultracapacitor, within the male coupler 110, or may be directlyutilized. In either case, the electrical energy is used to power thelight emitting diodes, which may be continuously illuminated, or mayflash, in accordance with variations of the present embodiment.

Referring next to FIG. 6A, a cross-sectional view is shown of a malecoupler 110 in accordance with one variation of the embodiment of thepresent invention. Shown is an open bowl end 602 for receiving an end ofa fire hose (not shown) and an expansion ring (now shown) in aconventional manner, and a male threaded end 604 for threadably couplingto a female threaded end of the female coupler 108.

Also shown is a stator comprising a series-wound conductive coil 606embedded within a cavity 608 at a periphery 610 of an axial flow channel612 of the male coupler 110. Positioned adjacent to the stator is arotor 614 that is free to rotate within the male coupler 110 relative tothe stator. The rotor 614 comprises a plurality of permanent magnets 616positioned at a periphery 618 of the rotor 614, which is of generallytoroidal in shape and envelops the axial flow channel 612. The rotor 614is coupled to a plurality of vanes 620 that protrude radially from therotor 614 into the axial flow channel 612 so as to engage the fluidflow, which may be water flow, as it flows through the axial flowchannel 612, imparting a rotational force to the vanes 620, and in turnthe rotor 614. The vanes 620, together, comprise an impeller 622 thatincludes a toroidal ring 624 from which the vanes 620 project toward thecentral axis 626 of the axial flow channel 612, and is mechanicallycoupled to the rotor 614. In response to the flow of fluid within theaxial flow channel 612, the rotor 614 rotates relative to the statorcausing the magnetic flux lines from the permanent magnets 616 to crossthe serial-wound coils of the stator thereby inducing a current into theseries-wound coils of the stator.

In this way, an electrical potential at an output of the series-woundcoil is generated by a generator comprising the rotor 614 and thestator. The current from the stator is directed to an embeddedelectronics package 628 within the male coupler 108, and may be used topower electronics therein directly, or may be used to charge one or moreenergy storage devices so that such power can be utilized at a latertime. The rotor 614 is secured mechanically in place by a rotor retainer630 which is inserted in the open bowl end 602 of the coupler 106 inorder to interpose the rotor 614 between an inner housing surface 632 ofthe coupler 106 and the rotor retainer 630, while still permittingrotation of the rotor 614 in response to the fluid flow.

Preferrably, the vanes 620 to not connect with one another, other thanthough the toroidal ring 624, and thus the vanes 620 provide an opencenter, or shaft-less, radial vane turbine generator. This generatordesign is preferred for fire hose and coupler 106 applications as itrequires minimal obstruction of the axial flow channel 612, as comparedto heretofore known electrical generator and turbine implementations,which are normally located in the axial flow channel 612 and rotateabout a central; shaft. The present variation interferes minimally withthe cross section of the axial flow path, reducing water pressure orfriction loss, and turbulence within a fire-fighting water stream whencompared to other shaft-inclusive generator designs.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, theembodiment of FIG. 6A can be adapted for use in a male coupler 110, apipe fitting with male or female threaded or slip type connectors,compression fittings, or the like.

Referring next to FIG. 6B, shown is an axial view of the rotor 614 ofFIG. 6A. Shown is the rotor 614, the permanent magnets 616 (indicated bytheir center lines), the radial vanes 620, and the toroidal ring 624.

Referring next to FIG. 6C, shown is an side view of the rotor 614,showing the rotor 614, the locations of the permanent magnets 616, theradial vanes 620, and the toroidal ring 624. The angle of the radialvanes 620 is adapted to optimize the rotational energy imparted to therotor 614 in response to the fluid flow based on the nature of thefluid, including its viscosity and flow rate.

Referring back to FIG. 5, The shaft-less radial vane turbine generatormay, in accordance with further additional embodiments, be used toprovide a power source for other electrically activated devices such as,but not limited to the following: an integrated fire hose illuminatingsystem, a flow rate measuring system, a fluid pressure measuring system,additional task lighting systems, voice or other communication systems,temperature logging systems, time logging systems, other event recordingsystems, any combination of the above mentioned options, as well asother electrically activated or operated devices.

The flow rate measuring system is capable of determining a rate of flowwithin the coupling by measuring and/or counting a number of electricalpulses or revolutions per second of the rotor 614 (also referred toherein as a tachometer or a tach-generator function). By applying anappropriate algorithm to the rotor 614 rpm rate, an accurate flow rateis determined.

In accordance with yet another further embodiment, a wirelesstransceiver of a mesh network is powered by the shaft-less radial vaneturbine generator and/or incorporated into the coupler 106, for thetransmission of any data generated at the coupler 106 or for relayingdata transmitted at other wireless transceivers, at, for example, 50 to100 foot intervals.

The wireless mesh network can also be used to relay two-way voicecommunications, in order to overcome a common problem of a structurephysically interfering with or blocking normal direct radiocommunication systems utilized by fire department personnel. Thisphysical interference may occur in the following examples: reinforcedconcrete structures, certain metal framed structures, underground andsubterranean structures, or other types of structures which are known toblock normal direct radio communications.

The amount of light emitted from the leds 112 or the number of leds 112energized is, in accordance with some embodiments, calibrated andsequenced to produce a visual indication of an actual flow rate of fluidwithin axial flow channel 612. By way of example, a red illuminatedegress arrow 114 may be illuminated indicating a dangerously low rate ofwater flow from zero to 50 gallons per minute (FIG. 11A), a yellowilluminated egress arrow 114 may be illuminated indicating a low rate offlow requiring caution on the part of the operator of 51 to 100 gallonsper minute, and a green illuminated egress arrow 114 may be illuminatedindicating a safe flow rate of 100 plus gallons per minute. Multi-colorleds 112, for example, can be employed to emit red light, yellow lightand green light from the same leds 112, as a function of how the leds112 are energized, e.g., by positive (e.g., red) or negative (e.g.,green) DC current, or AC current (e.g., yellow). In addition, the redand yellow egress arrows may also flash on and off at a varying intervalin order to further focus the attention of the fire-fighting personnelto dangerously low flow conditions within the fire hose and nozzlecombination.

The flow rates low, caution and safe flow rate ranges above areexamples, and in practice are calibrated to the specific needs of aparticular application for the present embodiments.

In accordance with another additional embodiment, a flow indicatingfunction may incorporate an illuminated digital flow meter display thatindicates a numeric value of the flow rate through the coupler 106 ineither gallons per minute or liters per minute. In one variation of thisembodiment, a flashing and/or color coded numeric flow rate value when alow, caution and/or safe flow rates are detected.

In accordance with a supplemental embodiment, a dangerous low flowindicating function may be to incorporate a loud audible alarm,generated by a sonic device incorporated into the coupler 106 andpowered by the shaft-less radial vane turbine generator. The loudaudible alarm is activated when a dangerously low rate of water flow isdetected in the manner described hereinabove thereby warning personnelto evacuate their location immediately.

The energy storage device described hereinabove enables the electricallyilluminated arrow 114, an integrated fire hose illuminating system, aflow rate measuring system, a fluid pressure measuring system,additional task lighting systems, voice or other communication systems,temperature logging systems, time logging systems, other event recordingsystems, any combination of the above mentioned options, as well asother electrically activated or operated devices to continue functioningeven when the flow of water is terminated, resulting in the eliminationof electrical power generation by the shaft-less radial vane turbinegenerator.

In accordance with variation, a electrically illuminated arrow 114 couldbe remotely activated (such as through the mesh network) to flash redindicating an exit direction for firefighters within a burningstructure. The electrically illuminated arrow 114 could be activated byfire department command personnel outside of the burning structure whendangerous data conditions have been detected or observed, either throughthe data generated by the event recording systems, temperature loggingsystems, or time logging systems, or as the result of other externalobservations by the command personnel outside of the structure. (Thesedata conditions can be communicated to command personal via, forexample, the mesh network). Alternately, command personnel outside ofthe structure may activate the loud audible alarm, or a combination ofthe loud audible alarm and the electrically illuminated arrow 114.

The battery and charging system may also be used to energize otherelectrical and/or electronically operated systems or devices notreferenced by this embodiment.

In a supplementary embodiment, non-fire-fighting systems that conveyother flowing fluids or gases through pipes, hose, tubing, ducting, orother circular conveyances used to transport such items. This mayinclude oil and gas drilling or fracking installations, refinery andchemical plant installations, transfer pipeline installations,agricultural and irrigation water installations, building heating andcooling systems, or other circumstances which require remote sensors, aremote means of generating electrical power, and a means of transmittingdata with a wireless mesh network.

In a further supplementary embodiment, a miniature scale embodiment ofthe shaft-less radial vane generator may be incorporated into animplanted medical device that measures, records, stores and transfersdata concerning the flow rate or pressure of blood within a person'scardiovascular system.

In another supplementary embodiment, the shaft-less radial vane turbinegenerator may generated energy to power a corona discharge system forthe purpose of reducing biological pathogens in drinking water systemsby using the flow of drinking water to operate the shaft-less radialvane turbine generator.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, examples and applications thereof, numerousmodifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth inthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A generator comprising: a coupling adapted tocouple at least two fluid conduits together; an axial flow channeldefined by the hose coupling and having an axis; a conductive coil inthe hose coupling enveloping the axial flow channel; a rotor rotatablerelative to the conductive coil and encircled by the conductive coil; aplurality of vanes coupled to the rotor and projecting radially towardthe axis, but not intersecting the axis.